@buckeyeelo: "September 7, 2006
Americans United Condemns House Committee Passage Of Bill Cutting Off
Attorneys' Fees In Church-State Cases
Click Here To Take Action Now
<url>
This morning the House Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would
deter Americans from defending their religious rights in court. The
so-called "Public Expression of Religion Act" (H.R. 2679)
is now headed to the House floor for a full vote. Similar legislation
(S. 3696) is also pending in the Senate. These bills would deny
attorneys' fees and out-of-pocket costs in cases won by
advocates of church-state separation. The measure would make it much
more difficult for citizens to challenge government-backed religious
activities.
These bills are extreme and unwise proposals that will keep Americans
from turning to the federal courts to protect their fundamental
constitutional rights to worship freely. Members of Congress should
stand up for the Bill of Rights, instead of undermining it with this
harmful legislation - please send a message now:
<url>
PRESS RELEASE ** PRESS RELEASE ** PRESS RELEASE
Americans United Condemns House Committee Passage Of Bill Cutting Off
Attorneys' Fees In Church-State Cases
Measure Is More Pandering To The Religious Right, Says AU's Lynn
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today blasted the
House Judiciary Committee's approval of a bill that would make
it more difficult for Americans to challenge church-state violations
in court.
The so-called "Public Expression of Religion Act" targets
those who stand up to church-state infringements by government
officials. The measure, H.R. 2679, denies legal fees and out-of-pocket
expenses to plaintiffs who win lawsuits under the First
Amendment's Establishment Clause, which bans the government from
promoting religion.
The committee passed the bill on a voice vote today, and it is now
headed to the House floor.
"It's remarkable to me that at a time when our country
faces so many serious issues, the Judiciary Committee has nothing
better to do than pander to the Religious Right with this
mean-spirited bill," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive
director of Americans United. "It's another sad example of
how this 'do-nothing Congress' earned its name."
Lynn charged that the bill erodes individual rights. Under current
law, Americans whose church-state rights have been violated by the
government are free to file lawsuits. If the lawsuits are successful,
the law allows for the recovery of reasonable attorneys' fees
and out-of-pocket expenses from the government. If H.R. 2679 were to
become law, however, that will no longer be the case.
The measure is being touted by Religious Right groups as a way to
discourage lawsuits challenging religious displays on public property.
But, in fact, it is much broader than that and would deny
reimbursement in conflicts ranging from government-sponsored religion
in public schools to taxpayer funding for religious schools and other
ministries.
Lynn said if the bill passes, it will set a precedent for Congress to
deny attorneys' fees in other types of litigation. Currently,
attorneys' fees are recoverable in a wide range of successful
cases against the government involving constitutional and civil rights
violations.
"This bill is nothing more than an attempt to scare people away
from having their day in court," Lynn said. "The House
Judiciary Committee should be ashamed of itself for passing such a
blatantly un-American scheme."
Several national organizations that support civil rights and civil
liberties have joined forces to oppose the measure.
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in
Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans
about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding
religious freedom.
************************************************************
The First Freedom First Campaign
If you haven't signed the petition yet, visit <url>
<url>
************************************************************
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
518 C Street NE,
Washington, DC 20002
<url>"
    @grayshockley: "<quote>
Legislation for special-interest groups who want to be treated differently 
than everyone else.
                          Congress shall make no law prohibiting 
                          the free exercise of religion; or abridging 
                          the freedom of speech except when Dick 
                          Cheney disagrees, or of the press when 
                          Donald "I kill GIs" Rumsfeld disagrees; or 
                          the right of the people peaceably to 
                          assemble in church, and to petition the 
                          Government for a redress of grievances 
                          as long as they have the lobbyists and 
                          the money to buy out Congress."
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